Toilet cleaning device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) for cleaning a toilet bowl ( 20 ), the toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) comprising a handle ( 12 ); a head ( 14 ) at a distal end ( 28 ) of the handle ( 12 ); and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades ( 16 ) which extend from a handle end ( 44 ) of the head ( 14 ) to a free distal end ( 46 ). As the head ( 14 ) is rotated about an axial extent of the handle ( 12 ), the helical blades ( 16 ) provide a circumferential and axial scraping action to the toilet bowl ( 20 ). The invention further relates to a holder ( 76 ) for such a toilet cleaning device ( 10 ), and a method of using the toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) to sanitise a toilet ( 74 ).

The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device, a cleaningdevice holder, and to a method of cleaning a toilet bowl using such atoilet cleaning device.

Widely available toilet cleaning equipment is generally limited to thetoilet brush, a hand-held device having a plurality of flexible bristlesat a distal end. The toilet brush can be used to clean a toilet byreciprocally thrusting the brush against the inner surface of the toiletbowl, thus abrasively removing deposits, detritus and organicparticulate matter.

Toilet brushes are typically kept adjacent to the toilet, so that userscan clean the bowl should there be particularly heavy soiling. As aresult, a toilet brush may have been used an indeterminate number oftimes between being cleaned. The bristles of the brush are alsodifficult to clean, there being a large surface area for deposits toadhere to and often becoming matted or intertwined. In combination,these factors quickly result in a build-up of dirt and bacteria on thesurface of the toilet brush, which is unhygienic.

Additionally, the bristles of the toilet brush generally protruderadially from a central shaft, and therefore, to remove deposits on thetoilet bowl, a vigorous scrubbing action must be performed, wasting timeand energy. The bristles are also sub-optimally aligned to clean underthe rim of the toilet bowl, further allowing a build-up of dirt andbacteria in this area of the bowl.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to theabove-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda toilet cleaning device for cleaning a toilet bowl, the toilet cleaningdevice comprising: a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle, and aplurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades which extendfrom a handle end of the head to a free distal end, so that, as the headis rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical bladesprovide a circumferential and axial scraping action.

The advantage of such a design of toilet cleaning device is that theblades confer a scraping action whilst cleaning, rather than merelyagitating detritus on the toilet bowl, as occurs with a bristled toiletbrush. The full longitudinal extent of the helical blades can contactwith the inner surface of the toilet bowl, thus ensuring that the fullsurface of the bowl can be efficiently scraped clean, and that no orfewer areas are missed. Additionally, continuous longitudinallyextending blades cannot become matted or intertwined like bristles.Therefore, the usability and efficacy of the device has improvedlongevity.

The helicity of the blades also means that by rotation of the deviceduring cleaning, a scraping action is effected circumferentially, inother words around the toilet bowl, and axially, in other words up anddown, simultaneously. This ensures efficient cleaning, the scrapingaction of the blades acting in two directions at once to remove stubborndeposits.

As a further advantage, the blades present a smooth surface for facilesanitisation. Bristles on a standard toilet brush are difficult to cleanto an acceptable standard, there being a large surface area to whichdeposits can adhere.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the inventionare set forth in claims 2 to 23, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda toilet cleaning device in accordance with the first aspect of theinvention in combination with a cleaning device holder having a headreceptacle for receiving the head of the toilet cleaning device andbeing defined by holder body.

It is advantageous to provide a specially designed holder for thecleaning device. The holder keeps the cleaning device upright, allowingthe user to access the handle easily when cleaning of the toilet bowl isrequired.

Furthermore, specific holders can be envisaged which facilitate air flowacross the blades of the device, thus inhibiting the build-up ofunsanitary liquids within the holder, which is a common problem withbristled toilet brush holders. Since the bristled devices have a largesurface area, there is a higher risk of transferring unhygienic toiletwater from the bowl to the holder with a bristled device than with abladed device.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of theinvention are set forth in claims 23 to 26, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof cleaning a toilet bowl using a toilet cleaning device according tothe first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the step ofutilising a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades toprovide simultaneous scraping and/or agitation in both a circumferentialdirection and an axial direction when only rotating the head of thecleaning device.

As previously mentioned, it is advantageous to use the cleaning deviceto clean a toilet bowl, using a rotational motion to scrape stubborndeposits from bowl applies simultaneous circumferential and axial forcesto the deposit, making cleaning more efficient. Such a method can beconsidered to have an action analogous with that of a corkscrew.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toilet cleaningdevice, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view from a handle end of the toiletcleaning device, showing a head body disengaged from a head spigot;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a distalportion of a handle of the toilet cleaning device and a head;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toiletcleaning device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the second embodiment of a toilet cleaningdevice, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, shown witha diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a rim of a toilet bowl;

FIG. 6 shows the toilet cleaning device received in a cleaning deviceholder, from a first direction and in accordance with the second aspectof the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows the combination of the toilet cleaning device and holderfrom a second direction.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a first embodiment ofa toilet cleaning device 10 comprises a handle 12, a head 14, and aplurality of helical blades 16 for scraping and/or agitating an interiorsurface 18 of a toilet bowl 20 (see FIG. 5, by way of example).

The handle 12 comprises a shaft 22, in this case being substantiallyrigid, elongate and slightly arcuate to provide a greater ergonomic fitfor a user, and a grip 24 preferably at or adjacent to a free proximalend 26 of the shaft 22 for a user to comfortably grasp. The shaft 22 andgrip 24 are preferably overmoulded with an elastomer or other resilient,comfortable and easily cleanable material.

Although the handle 12 is preferably elongate, it is feasible that ashorter version could be provided, allowing more direct pressure to beimparted perpendicularly to the interior surface 18 of the toilet bowl20. For example, the shaft 22 may be cranked in addition oralternatively to being arcuate.

The head 14 is provided at a distal end 28 of the shaft 22, remote fromthe grip 24. The head 14 includes a head body 30, a head spigot 32 anda, preferably rigid, head flange 34. The head flange 34 is provided atthe distal end 28 of the shaft 22, with the head spigot 32 projectingdistally from the head flange 34. The spigot 32 is preferably formed asa hollow cylinder, in this case being of rigid moulded plastics.

The head body 30 includes an internal recess 36 which is sized so as tocomplementarily and releasably accept and engage with the head spigot32. In this case, since the head spigot 32 is cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical in profile, the recess 36 has the form of anequivalently sized and shaped cylinder to tightly fit over the headspigot 32.

When the head spigot 32 and head body 30 are interengaged, a perimeteredge portion of a flat or substantially planar proximal end 38 of thehead body 30 abuts or substantially abuts a perimeter edge portion of adistal surface 40 of the head flange 34. See FIG. 3. A radial extent ofthe head body 30 is preferably sized so as to match a radial extent ofthe head flange 34. As such, when the head body 30 is engaged with thehead spigot 32, there are no discontinuities in the profile of the head14; the radial extents of the head flange 34 and head body 30 arepreferably flush with one another.

The outer surface 42 of the head body 30 includes a plurality ofradially outwardly projecting helical blades 16. The blades 16 extendlongitudinally from a handle end 44 of the head 14 to or substantiallyto a free distal end 46. Each helical blade 16 has a smoothly arcuatelongitudinal extent being devoid of laterally extending corners, witheach helical blade 16 having a resiliently flexible lateral extent. Tothis end, the head body 30, and therefore the helical blades 16, arepreferably formed from an elastomeric or otherwise resiliently flexiblematerial.

Each helical blade 16 tapers towards the free distal end 46 of the head14, having a substantially uniform lateral extent along at least amajority of its longitudinal extent. It follows, therefore, that thereis defined a radially outer edge 48 of each helical blade 16 which actsas a scraping surface of the head 14 during cleaning. Preferably, theradially outer edge 48 is chamfered to make a sharper scraping surface.

It will be appreciated, however, that each helical blade 16 could have asubstantially tapered lateral extent, so as to provide a more blade-likescraping surface. This may facilitate lifting of stubborn deposits withthe blade 16, providing suitable blade rigidity is not sacrificed.

Each helical blade 16 has a longitudinal extent, in other words alength; a radial extent which is a depth from an outer blade edge to theaxial extent of the device 10; and a lateral extent equating to athickness of the blade 16. The lateral extent of each blade 16 mayincrease in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end. Theincrease in thickness or tapering may be uniform along the entire orpart of the longitudinal extent, for example, beginning at halfway orpartway along the length. Preferably, the distal end of the blade 16 hasthe greatest thickness to promote increased rigidity whilst maintainingpreferably some flexibility.

At the free distal end 46 of the head 14, there is provided anindentation 50 for promoting a bow wave during axial movement of thecleaning device 10 in a handle-to-head direction. The helical blades 16terminate at the indentation 50, so as not to impede the axial motion.In order to promote the formation of said bow wave during axial motion,the indentation 50 may be substantially concaved or dished.

The termination of the helical blades 16 at the indentation 50 mayresult in the formation of a secondary axially facing scraping edge 52at a perimeter of the free distal end 46. The secondary scraping edge 52may present a sharper and more rigid scraping surface than the radialedges 48 of the helical blades 16.

Optionally, a distal end of the blades 16 may terminate in a point oredge, effectively formed by an inner chamfer extending along part of thelongitudinal edge of the blade and forming part of the indentation, andan outer chamfer also extending along part of the longitudinal extentand forming the said scraping edge. To complement the chamfers and toimprove scraping, the lateral extent of the blade may also be chamferedat at least the distal end portion of the blade at which the twochamfers are provided.

By providing blades forming part of the indentation, which may be aconcave recess, a wall of the indentation includes apertures extendingfrom its rim, thereby allowing entrapment of water at an uninterruptedor smoothly uniform part-spherical surface of a polar region of theindentation, whilst allowing fluid ingress to and egress from theindentation between the distal ends of the blades. This is beneficial inpromoting removal or particulate matter from between the blades whilstalso maintaining bow-wave formation during a cleansing process.

At the handle end 44 of the head 14, there is preferably provided atleast one upstanding axially-protruding circumferentially-directed vane54, extending towards the handle 12. There are typically provided aplurality of vanes 54 equiangularly spaced apart around the handle end44 of the head 14. These vanes 54 are sized to fit underneath the rim 56of a standard toilet bowl 20 (see FIG. 5), and can be used to scrape andagitate detritus and dirt under the rim 56.

There may conveniently be provided a plurality of complementaryapertures 58 in the head flange 34, with which the plurality of vanes 54may positively engage. This engagement advantageously prevents the headbody 30 from rotating about the head spigot 32 during use and assists inretaining engagement of the head body 30.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a second embodiment of thecleaning device 110, wherein the vanes 154 protruding axially andradially from the head body 130 of the head 114 can be further used asscraping cleaning surfaces in addition to the helical blades 16. Likereferences refer to parts which are similar or identical to those of thefirst embodiment, and therefore further detailed description is omitted.

The main scraping edge 160 of a vane body 162 of the vane 154 is theoutermost upstanding radial edge, and in this embodiment said scrapingedge 160 is chamfered so as to assist with a rotational scrapingcleaning action. A secondary chamfered scraping edge 163 may also beprovided on the inner radial edge of the vane 154.

The or each vane 154 tapers towards a free distal end 164, so as to besized to fit under the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20, see FIG. 5. Thefree distal-most edge 164 of the or each vane 154 is also preferablychamfered to provide an additional uppermost scraping edge 166.

As the vanes 154 are designed to clean under the rim 56 of a toiletbowl, they may be typically formed from a more rigid material than thehelical blades 16. As such, the helical blades 16 preferably havegreater flexibility than the or each vane 154.

The radial extent of the vanes 154 is limited by the radial extent ofthe head flange 134 which extends past the shaft 22 of the handle 12.The head flange 134 is therefore sized such that the vanes 154 are ableto scrape the entirety of the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20.

Whilst in these embodiments the vanes are provided as separate features,allowing control of rigidity and flexibility, it is also possible thateach vane could be provided integrally with each helical blade, suchthat each blade terminates in a vane. This enables potentiallysimplified manufacture whilst still performing the desired functions. Byway of example, coextruding the blade and vane potentially fromdifferent materials enables the vane to be firmer or more rigid than theblade.

In this embodiment, the apertures in the head flange may be radiallyextending slots which extend from the perimeter edge.

In the depicted embodiments of the present invention, the helical blades16 and the vanes 54, 154 are integrally provided on the head body 30,130 of the head 14, 114. However, it will be appreciated that the vanes54, 154 could in fact be provided as a part of the head flange 34, 134as opposed to the head body 30, 130.

The head body 30, 130 is provided so as to be separable from the handle12 for cleaning, disposal and replacement. The head body 30, 130 may beslidably receivable on the head spigot 32 of the head 14, 114, with theor each vane 54, 154 being receivable in a respective aperture 58 of thehead flange 34, 134 at or adjacent to the distal end of the shaft 22 ofthe handle 12.

The handle 12 in all embodiments may beneficially include a flexibleportion 68 at or adjacent to the head 14, 114 enabling the head 14, 114to flex relative to the handle 12. This advantageously allows the headbody 30, 130 and specifically the helical blades 16 to adaptively anddynamically follow the contours of the toilet bowl 20 during cleaning,thus providing maximal contact between the helical blades 16 and thetoilet bowl surface 18. Flexing also enables better access for the vanes54, 154 to get underneath the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20.

In use, the toilet cleaning device 10, 110 is grasped at the grip 24 bya user, and the head 14, 114 inserted into the toilet bowl 20. The userthen rotates the device 10, 110 with the helical blades 16 contactingthe inner surface 18 of the toilet bowl 20. By rotation of the device10, 110, the radial edges 48 of the helical blades 16 will effect ascraping action in both circumferential and axial directions, thusremoving detritus from the toilet bowl 20.

As the helical blades 16 are constructed from a resiliently flexiblematerial, flexion with the contours of the toilet bowl 20 is enabled,thus ensuring a more even clean. The simultaneous circumferential andaxial forces imparted by at least the rotational movement of the head14, 114 due to the helical blades 16 will act to remove stubborndeposits which traditional toilet brushes tend to only remove byconcerted agitation. As such, agitationless cleaning is enabled.

For particularly difficult deposits, the secondary scraping edge 52 canbe used for direct scraping. As the secondary scraping edge 52 islocated at the distal end 46 of the head 14, and thus at a distal end 70of the device 10 as a whole, the user is able to apply more forcedirectly along the axis of the handle 12 than can be achieved throughrotation of the device 10.

To complement the secondary scraping edge 52, the indentation 50 on thedistal end 46 of the head 14 can also be used to promote a bow wave. Byreciprocally thrusting the device 10 towards the deposit, theindentation 50 will direct water in the toilet bowl 20 towards thedeposit in the form of a bow wave, with the associated increase inpressure further serving to agitate and remove the deposit. By use ofsuch a plunging action, matter remaining in the toilet bowl 20 can beencouraged to flush.

The user can also clean under the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20 byutilising the vanes 54, 154 of the device 10, 110 to scrape and agitatedetritus and particulate matter. The user inserts the device 10, 110into the toilet bowl 20, lifting the device 10, 110 upwards such thatthe vanes 54, 154 are received underneath the rim, as shown in FIG. 5.

The user can then rotate the device 110 to apply a circumferentialscraping action to the inner surface 72 of the rim 56. The chamferedside edges 160, 163 and upper edges 166 of the vanes 154 are designedfor this purpose. That the vane bodies 162 are tapered enables easieraccess to the rim 56.

It will be appreciated that the design of the vanes 54, 154 in thepresent embodiments are only examples. Other possible designs can beenvisaged which achieve the same goal of cleaning under the rim 56 ofthe toilet bowl 20. For instance, as it is not possible to see under therim 56, it may be desirable for the vanes 54, 154 to have a moreabrasive surface, to ensure that the inner surface 72 of the rim 56 ismore fully cleaned.

Once cleaning of the toilet 74 is complete, it is likely that the userwill wish to sanitise at least the head 14, 114 of the device 10, 110.To do so, the user may disengage the head body 30, 130 from the headspigot 32 and then sanitise the head body 30, 130 separately of thehandle 12. This may typically include washing the head body 30, 130 inan antibacterial solution, e.g. bleach, and rinsing the head body 30,130 before reassembling the device 10, 110. The smoothly arcuatelongitudinal extent of the helical blades 16 enables agitationlesscleaning.

Equally, the head body 30, 130 may be disposable and thus replaceable,and/or may be interchangeable with a different head body 30, 130 toachieve a different kind of cleaning action. As such, a plurality ofdifferent head bodies may be provided allowing a user to select asrequired.

An advantageous feature of the device 10, 110 is that the head body 30,130 is an easily sanitised component; it has a much smaller surface areathan an equivalently sized bristled toilet brush, and the helical ridges16 are generally made from a wipe-clean or water repellent material. Thedevice 10, 110 can therefore be more easily kept clean between uses,thereby preventing the spread of disease.

It is therefore advantageous to return the device 10, 110 to storage ina sanitary condition after use. To this end, there is provided acleaning device holder 76, the cleaning device holder 76 having a headreceptacle 78 for receiving the head 14, 114 of the toilet cleaningdevice 10, 110, the head receptacle 78 being defined by a holder body80, preferably being formed of rigid moulded plastics.

The holder 76 may be freely standing, or may include one or moresupports 82, such as feet or outriggers, to raise or stabilise theholder body 80. In the present embodiment, the holder 76 has a pluralityof radially outwardly extending feet 82. These greatly enhance thestability of the holder 76 once the cleaning device 10, 110 is inserted.Since the handle 12 of the cleaning device 10, 110 is curved, the centreof gravity of the combined holder 76 and device 10, 110 is both high andoff-centre, therefore making the holder 76 prone to being knocked over.The feet 82 obviate this issue.

The holder body 80 may typically include two upstanding supports 84 inspaced relationship for supporting the head 14, 114 at or adjacent to ahead flange 34, 134. These supports 84 prevent or inhibit the cleaningdevice 10, 110 from falling or toppling out of the holder 76 whenstowed.

The head receptacle 78 may include at least two opposing openings 86, 88in the holder body 80 for promoting a drying cross-flow of air over thehelical blades 16 of the toilet cleaning device 10, 110. A first saidopening 86 may be larger to provide an access for insertion and removalof the head to and from the head receptacle 78.

The second said opening 88 which is preferably smaller may extendfurther towards the base 90 of the head receptacle 78 than the firstsaid opening 86 to promote air flow up and along the helical blades 16in a direction towards the handle 12. The second opening 88 ispreferably defined by the two spaced apart upstanding supports 84.

By promoting air flow across the helical blades 16, drying of the headbody 30, 130 is encouraged, thus reducing the likelihood of formation ofdamp regions in which bacteria or mould could fester.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are only examples ofthe present invention, and other embodiments of the present inventiveconcept are possible.

There could, for instance, be provided a fluid reservoir integrated intothe handle which was in fluid communication with the head of the device.Cleaning fluid could be inserted into the reservoir, which could besupplied to the toilet bowl during scraping, perhaps through pores inthe head body. This could be activated by any type of mechanism affixedto the handle. For instance, the fluid reservoir could be squeezable bythe user, the associated pressure increase forcing the cleaning fluidthrough the device into the head body, and out of the pores.

There could also further be a means for releasing the head body from thehead spigot, therefore removing the necessity for the user to touch thedirty head body after cleaning when sanitising the head body.Alternatively, the head body could be disposable, so rather thancleansing the head body, it could just be replaced. This would furtherimprove the hygiene of the device.

Indeed, it is entirely possible to imagine that a plurality of differenthead bodies could be purchased, for different purposes. The standardhead body could be kept for general cleaning of the toilet after asingle use if soiled, whilst a head body with a different vane typecould be kept on hand for more vigorous cleaning of the rim. As long asa common head spigot was present, replaceability of the heads can beachieved.

There are also additional and/or alternative connection means that couldbe considered between the head spigot and flange and the head body. Forinstance, there could be provided grooves on the inside of the headspigot, there being corresponding grooves on the recess of the head bodywhich interengage with the grooves of the spigot. There are numerousmeans of connecting the head body to the rest of the device.

Although a head spigot is suggested, this may be dispensed with. Assuch, the head may be an integral unit which is releasably orpermanently attached to the handle.

Furthermore, the underlying concept is that the helical blades engenderthe bi-directional cleaning action when rotating the device. Whilst thedescribed embodiments show perfectly helical blades, it will beappreciated that any substantially helical blade will have the sameeffect. This includes, but is not limited to: partially helical bladeshaving straight edged portions; interrupted helical blades, wherein thelongitudinal extent of the blade is non-continuous; or helical bladeshaving a subsidiary scraping fin extending from the scraping edge of theblade at a tangent to the axis of rotational motion.

Therefore, there is provided a toilet cleaning device having a pluralityof radially outwardly projecting helical blades which extend from ahandle end of the head to a free distal end, such that, as the head isrotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical blades providea circumferential and axial scraping action. This scraping action leadsto a more efficient clean of the toilet bowl.

The device may also include vanes which enable cleaning underneath therim of a toilet bowl, which is typically inaccessible to standardcleaning equipment. The device allows the user to more easily andthoroughly clean their toilet, resulting in a more hygienic process.

The device is also more sanitary that current toilet brushes, in that itcan be more easily cleaned, having a smaller surface area to whichdeposits can cling. It is also possible to remove the head body of thedevice, so as to separately the components of the device which come intocontact with unhygienic surfaces of the toilet. The device thus achievesa greater overall level of cleanliness and hygiene than standardbrushes.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ whenused herein with reference to the present invention are used to specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but doesnot preclude the presence of addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of this invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only,and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled inthe field without departing from the scope of the invention as hereindescribed.

1. A toilet cleaning device adapted to clean a toilet bowl, the toiletcleaning device comprising: a handle, a head at a distal end of thehandle, and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical bladeswhich extend from a handle end of the head to or substantially to a freedistal end of the head and which present a smooth surface, so that, asthe head is rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helicalblades provide a circumferential and axial scraping action; wherein thefree distal end of the head includes a bow-wave enhancement indentation.2. The toilet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein each helical blade hasa smoothly arcuate longitudinal extent being devoid of laterallyextending corners to prevent or limit accumulation of detritus and thesmoothly arcuate longitudinal extent enabling agitationless cleaning. 3.(canceled)
 4. The toilet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein eachhelical blade has a resiliently flexible lateral extent.
 5. The toiletcleaning device of claim 1, the device having at least one of thefollowing: the helical blades tapering towards the free distal end ofthe head; the helical blades being chamfered at the free distal end ofthe head; and the helical blades thickening towards the free distal endof the head.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The toilet cleaning deviceof claim 1, wherein each helical blade has a substantially uniformlateral extent along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent. 9.(canceled)
 10. The toilet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein thehelical blades terminate at a rim of the bow-wave enhancementindentation.
 11. The toilet cleaning device of claim 10, wherein asecondary scraping edge is formed by the termination of the helicalblades at the rim of the bow-wave enhancement indentation.
 12. Thetoilet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bow-wave enhancementindentation is substantially concaved or dished.
 13. The toilet cleaningdevice of claim 1, wherein each helical blade forms at least a part ofthe bow-wave enhancement indentation.
 14. The toilet cleaning device ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one axially extending vane providedat the handle end of the head adapted to scrape and agitate detritus andparticulate matter under a rim of the toilet bowl.
 15. The toiletcleaning device of claim 14, wherein a scraping edge of a vane body ofthe vane is radially outermost.
 16. The toilet cleaning device of claim15, wherein the scraping edge is chamfered.
 17. The toilet cleaningdevice of claim 14, wherein each vane tapers towards its free distalend.
 18. The toilet cleaning device of claim 14, wherein a freedistal-most edge of the or each vane is chamfered to provide anuppermost scraping edge.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The toilet cleaning deviceof claim 14, wherein each helical blade is integrally formed with onevane.
 21. The toilet cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the helicalblades and the or each vane are integrally provided on a head body ofthe head.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. The toilet cleaning deviceof claim 1 in combination with a cleaning device holder having a headreceptacle to receive the head of the toilet cleaning device and beingdefined by a holder body.
 25. The combination of claim 24, wherein thehead receptacle includes at least two opposing openings in the holderbody to promote a drying cross-flow of air over the helical blades,wherein a first said opening provides an access adapted to enableinsertion and removal of the head to and from the head receptacle. 26.(canceled)
 27. The combination of claim 25, wherein a second saidopening extends further towards a base of the head receptacle than thefirst said opening to promote air flow up and along the helical bladesin a direction towards the handle.
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. Atoilet cleaning device adapted to clean a toilet bowl, the toiletcleaning device comprising: a handle, a head at a distal end of thehandle, and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical bladesthat extend from a handle end of the head to or substantially to a freedistal end of the head, so that, as the head is rotated about an axialextent of the handle, the helical blades provide a circumferential andaxial scraping action.